Chapter 49: Duncan's Son, Cú Chulainn
I have an idea who this man was. After all, Duncan was an immortal being. And he was one of those heroes that I have read about and researched. So it was not surprising that his son showed up. He was one of his sons that is.
Cú Chulainn was Duncan's son from a mortal. I will not be diving into details as to how and why he did it. History books have already written too many things about that event.
He was handsome, that was for sure. Like his father, Cú Chulainn was tall and had that domineering aura about him. While his father had tampered with his because of age, he on the other hand still needs to be refined.
I have no idea what he was called during these times, nor do I have any idea why he was even here. All I could conclude was, he was here because he knew his father's fascination for me.
I met the same gray-green eyes that assess me regularly. Unlike his father that made me melt into a pile of goo, his son had this probing gaze that wanted to see right through me.
I cannot blame him. It was his duty to make sure that his father was not lured into some trap that would harm Duncan in the long run.
The thing was I knew my past was harmful. The people who raised me were harmful. Would they hurt Duncan physically? Not really, but since my mom was good with gaslighting people I am afraid of what will happen if they do meet.
I was not terrified of Duncan's son. If you asked me why I honestly do not know. What I do know was that he was curious.
"Are you - "
"Darwin," I said in a frustrated voice, "you can visit your BF. He is the only vegan I know. When was the last time you went there?"
The man was silent. Darwin was not an easy man to live with. He was the best chef we have, but his people skills need work. It was a miracle that he was in a relationship, but his silence of his was not good.
"Darwin?"
"We are okay, Julie," he finally said. I could hear a tone of uncertainty in his voice. Something that was never there, so why was it there?
I took his hand in mine and tugged it, forcing him to look at me. When he did, I squeeze his hand and softly said, "Go, be with him. We can be okay without you for a couple of days. I can cook and so will the other people here too. Don't worry, this job is yours. No one will take it away. Make sure that you say hi to Nick for us okay?"
I could see the relief on his face. Something must have happened, whatever it was, letting him visit his beau was the best thing I have decided. He gave me a kiss on my cheek before dashing out of The Belle leaving me and Cú Chulainn alone.
I looked at the man who was impatiently tapping his feet, arms crossed over his chest. He looked so much and acted like Duncan when he was in this state that I cannot help but laugh.
Even the way they frowned looked similar.
"Are you crazy?" he asked.
"No, but you and your father are so similar," was my reply. I had to catch my breath. The way he sounded was not welcoming. But then again, I'm different.
"Does that man know who I am?" He asked.
"Man? Oh! Darwin? Nope. The only person who knows you guys exist is me," I looked at him once more. I could see that he had a lot of questions in his eyes. Most like he was asking himself, 'What did my father see in her?' I have been asking the same question till now, so he was not alone.
"Welcome to The Belle. How may I help you?" I asked with a smile.
The urge to bump my head on the desk in front of me was strong. I nearly forgot to give the usual greetings we have. I sigh inwardly. It had only been five months since my last front desk duty. The way Thor automatically accepted his duty handling the FD made it seem like he was the right man for the job.
Duncan's son shook his head and sighed. He looked lost standing in front of me. I felt like he needed time so I did the only thing I could think of.
"Would you like to stay?"
My question must have shocked him. He was taken aback. He must be expecting something different. Like me telling him to buzz off. Nope, not me.
"I…" he stuffed his hands in the pockets of his jeans, a clear sign of him being uncomfortable.
"There is a room near the coach house that you could rent. I know who you are, and I am going to assume that you would like to know me. I don't usually offer that room to people," I told him. I looked him straight in the eyes before continuing, "I have kids you see, and I don't let any stranger near my house."
"But I am a stranger," he replied.
"Are you?" I asked back.
"I - "
"MOMMY!"
Nicole shouted followed by a loud bark from Fall. The way my little girl was running blindly, I could say that an accident was bound to happen. Before I could round the corner of the desk, I heard Duncan's son release an 'oof' and a yelp from Nicole.
She was looking up at him while the older man was holding onto her arm. I could tell that he was not hurting her, otherwise, my daughter would be shouting at him. Fall was sitting on the side, his tail wagging when he saw his master's son.
"I'm…"
"Why do you have daddy's eyes?" My little girl suddenly asked.
"Daddy?"
"Yes, Daddy. Daddy Duncan," my little girl said with complete confidence.
The skeptical way he was looking at Nicole made me wish the ground where I was standing could open and swallow me. He glanced back at me with his brows knitted in confusion. I shrugged and called my daughter.
"Come on, Nicole, time to wash up. I need to help our guest to his room," I began. But my daughter had other ideas.
"Can you be my uncle? Are you my uncle?"
"Uncle?" If I could read his mind he must have been asking 'what is this girl talking about?'
"Yes, uncle. You look like Daddy Duncan, you are going to be my uncle!"
Her bold declaration made me groan in embarrassment. Duncan's arrogance must have rubbed off on her. She was never this straightforward.
"Nicole!" I half shouted at her.
What happens next made my eyes widen in surprise. He crouch in front of my daughter and gave her a smile that resembles Duncan so much that I could not stop myself from tearing up.
"How about you call me big brother?" he said.
Like an unspoken signal, Fall rubbed his nose on the older man's shoulder. He grinned at the greyhound, and then bumped his head to him.
"Big brother? But I have a big brother,"
Nicole replied.
Cú Chulainn, chucked I could hear how amused he was with my daughter's comeback. I, on the other hand, was palpitating in embarrassment.
"Oh, you have?"
"Yes! He is with Aunt Jane. She was teaching him about words that I cannot say."
"Oh. Are you here because you want to be with your mommy?" he asked. His voice was full of gentle curiosity.
"Nooooo. I fell asleep and had a dream," Nicole looked at me and ran to my side. She gave me a tight hug before reaching for Fall and hugging the greyhound.
"What was your dream about?" Cú Chulainn asked.
"You."
This made my blood run cold. He must have felt the same thing because I saw how his posture stiffened, and his eyes narrowed.
"Me?"
"Yes, I ran to tell mommy we need to cook for you. But I guess you are already here!" Nicole looked back at me and asked, "Can we cook spaghetti and meatballs for him?"
"Nikky, we have to be sure that he can eat that. We cannot just –"
"You eat spaghetti and meatballs right?" she asked in a haughty tone.
Cú Chulainn slowly nodded and tried to stop from bursting into laughter.
"Good!" she kissed his cheeks and hug me back before walking back to the place she came from.
"Nicole," Cú Chulainn called. "In your dream, what name did I have?"
"It was too long!!"
"Oh, so what will sounds did you remember?"
"Colin."
I saw the blood drain away from his face, and cast a worried look at me.
Whatever was happening, someone better tell me. Or else...
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone